Grain drier and cooler.



F. mmonms. GRAIN DRIER AND COOLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV l9, IQIZ.

1,157,172. Patented 001;. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- In van cur.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAIH 1:0..WMHLN010N, n. c.

F. R. MORRIS.

GRAIN DRIER AND COOLER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19. m2.

1,157,172. Patented 001;. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES I INVENTOR COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0..wASM|Nu'wN. 0.1;.

F. R. MORRIS.

GRAIN DRIER AND COOLER.

APPLlCATION FILED NOV-19. l9l2.

1,157,172 Patented 001. 19, 1915.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- *uiv rrn sria FULTON R. MORRIS, OF'IYIILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MORRIS GRAIN DRIER 00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

GRAIN DRIER AND ooonnn.

' Coolers, of which the following is a specification. I

lhis invention relates to an apparatus for drying grain, particularly in large quantities, whereby it is desired to drive off a considerable amount ofmoisture without disturbing the starch, oil, 'or other chemical properties in the grain.

The invention contemplates the drying and subsequent cooling of the grain by means of air currents properly directed or forced through the entlre bodyof grain, by means of ducts pervious to fluid. I

Ithas already been proposed to accomplish this by fan meansadapted to draw air through the chamber for the grain being cooled, thus partially heating the air, subsequently heating the same to a higher temperature, and forcing such heated air through the chamber for the grain to be dried. This procedure has several faults, among which the most important is, in that the air leaving the cooler is sometimes damaged by passing through musty'or sour grain, and hence. to subsequently pass this air through the drier, taints the grain with a musty smell, even though the grain in the drier container be sound and sweet.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide an apparatus which is simple in construction and easy to operate; one which will provide for even drying of the. grain; the grain. but will enable the drying to .be accomplished, retaining the bright natural appearance thereof.

7 Further objects of the invention are to provide means whereby theapparatus may be adaptedto successfully and economically dry andcool a bulk ofgrain considerably less than the capacity of the apparatus, and to providemeans whereby the identity of any particular lot of grain may be pre served, such as when a single car load thereof is to be acted upon.

Further objects of the invention will appear in thefollowing detailed description,

taken in connection with the accompanying Specification of Lettersl'atent.

and. one whichwill not disintegrate Patented Get. 1a, 1915.

Application filed November 19, 1912. Serial No. 732,356.

drawings forming a part of this specificat1on, and in which drawing: Figure 1 is a view in elevation and partly in vertical section through an apparatus embodying the invention, parts being broken away to disclose details. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view through the drier, proper, of the apparatus as disclosed in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view partly 'in elevation and partly in vertical section disclosing means for controlling a valve. Fig. t is a plan view of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is'a transverse vertical sectional view through the drier proper, of the apparatus. Fig. 6 is'aview similar to Fig; 2 through the cooler of the apparatus.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As disclosed in the drawings, a. suitable housing 6 contains the apparatus embodying the invention, such housing being of any suitable construction according to the capacity of the apparatus, but in the example shown is constructed of steel and concrete, and more particularly to protect the apparatus from the inclemency of the Weather and to exclude dust or other foreign matter from entering the several chambers.

The drier proper, designated by A ispreferably constructed to provide two container chambers 7 spaced apart from each other, and two air distributing chambers 8 intermediate said chambers 7, the container chambers being each formed by the provision of two oppositely disposed walls 9 and 10. Each wall 9 is common to the container chamber 7 and its respective distributingchamber 8, the two distributing chamapertures 12 therein,and.from the apertures in the one wall of each chamber, to those in the other wall thereof, ducts 13 are 'provided. These ducts are pervious to fluid,

but prevent the grain,-which drops by gravity into the chambers 7, from finding egress through openings 19.. For the preferred means of constructing ducts 13., reference maybe had to Letters Patent No. 1,028,899, granted on an application filed by me, although this construction may be varied, without departing from the spirit or scope I of the invention. a

Q Exteriorly of walls 9 and 10, are provided suitable guides 14, to receive shutters 15.

These shutters are designed so as toclo'se the one end of each duct 13 during operation of the apparatus, but .as to which end is closed, this may be varied at the will of the operator. For instance, as disclosedin Fig. 1 of the drawing, the lower tier of ducts 13 are closed to the ingress'of air from chamber 8, at wall 9, while the egress ends at the wall areopen, and in connection with the superj acent tiers, the converse is true. However, by raising the shutter 15 of the lower tier, and lowering the shutter of the super jacent tier, the former has ingress from the chamber 8 and the latter ingress from: with in the chamber 7. Any suitable means may 7 be utilized for actuating the shutters 15, but

the preferred formisdisclosed in the c0- pending application for Letters'Patent, filed November 19th, 1912, and bearing the Serial Number 732,357.

Grain is fed to'the drier A, by gravity,

such as from a garner 16, which, in the ex ample shown, delivers to both chambers 7, but may be adapted to feed to only one, when a small quantity of grain is to be acted upon. The grain may be retainedwithin the chamber or chambers 7 so that the air is forced qbers 18, corresponding to the chambers 8.

The chambers 17 have oppositely disposed walls 19 and 20, and chambers 18 move a common partition 21. In the chambers 17 are provided ducts 22, which may be similar to ducts 13. However, it is not necessary to alternate the air currents: through these ducts, hence the said ducts have one end openat either aperture 23 in wall 20, or

similar apertures in wall 19, theother ends being closed. Each chamber 13, through conveyor 21, is adapted to feedto. its respective chamber 17' of the cooler, so that the grain acted upon in the drier may fall, by

. gravity, to the cooler. I

7 Referring now to unitary means for forcing the air through the drier and cooler chambers, which means is designated generally by C, a suitable fan blower 24:, of any suitable type, such as that having its intake at 25, is provided. The main duct26 leads from the egress of the blower, said duct branching into ducts or ways 27 and 28, which are controlled by valves 29 ,and30,

respectively, and preferably of the recipro- 7 cable type. The duct 29 leads to a heater'30, of any suitable type,

ing a way 31; This way v31 is in'icbmmunica tion with the chamber or chambers 8 of the drier A, as will be hereinafter setwforth. The duct or way 28 delivers air conducted therein, to the chamber or chambers 18 of the cooler Band this air. is forced through so that the air conveyed through duct 27 is heated prior to its enter.

the cooler, and not "drawn therethrough, as o was contemplated in. apparatus heretofore,

disclosed to the public. V

The apparatus as disclosed is particularly adapted for acting upon a large quantity of grain, However, it is very often desirable to dry a quantity of grain, such as a car load,

and preserve the identity thereof. With this end in view, 1n either or both of the chain here 8, are provided upright guides 32 for a 'reciprocable damper 33 adapted to be raised a or lowered in any suitable manner, such as through'the instrumentality of a drum 34L revolubly mounted upon the drier, anda 1 flexiblemember35 which, is adapted to be wound upon said drum. It is to be noted that by lowering this damper the tiers of ducts above the opening of way 3l,'may be 7 cut out of communication therewith, so as to adapt the devicefor successfully and eco 'nomically drying a small quantity of grain.

. While I have herein disclosed a grain drying apparatus embodying two drying chambers, and two cooling chambers, it is obvious. that the invention hereinbefore specifically described, is applicable to a grain drying apparatus having onedrying chamber '7 and one cooling chamber 13, the airrdistributing chambers being then disposed as are chamhers-8 and 18, respectively. In this instance,

the ducts or ways 28 and 31' lead to each air distributing chamber in substantially the same manner as hereinbefore described. Furthermore, the'damper 33 may be operated in conplnction with such single chamber and drier, toa great advantage, to alter the drying capacitythereof. 7

In the example shown, I have provided valve means, designated generally by D, in

the way 31, whereby the air may be delivered to both chambers 8 of the drier A, or .to either one thereof; and valve means E, in

way 28 whereby air may be delivered to both chambers 18 of the cooler B, or to either one of said chambers. In operation, these means D and E maybe identical, andcomprise an oscillatable valve 36, having its axis of oscil-i lation disposed in the plane ofthe partitionsof the respective chamber it is to control and adjacent this ,partition, this valve being adapted to engage. either of the opposite walls of the-way in which it is disposed, to direct the air to eitherchamber, or when not engaging such walls thereof, to permit of its'passage to both chambers. I

- of the drawing, the preferred means of mounting and controlling valve 36 is dis- -closed', and comprising a shaft 37 to which the valve is secured,said shaft terminating in a handle 38; a plate 39 having a plurality of apertures disposed in a line concentric to the axis of oscillation of said shaft 37, said plate being, rigidly mounted; an arm ll carried laterally of shaft 37 and apertured as 'at42, to be alined with any of the apertures a0 in plate 39; and, a pin 43 to retain the arm 41' rigid with plate 39, by passing through apertures 4:0 and 42. 7 Thus, the

valve 36 may be rigidly positioned, as desired, and purpose set forth.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows Assuming that the "grain to be acted upon has been conveyed to garner 16, and that the apparatus is to be worked to its full 'capacity,"the dampers 33 are raised so thatall of the ducts 13, not controlled by shutters 15, are open to the air distributing chambers 8. The valve 36. in way 31 is rigidly positioned as disclosed in Fig. 2, so

that air may be delivered to both distributing chambers. Likewise, the valve 36 in way 28 is disposed,-;a's disclosed in'Fig. 6 oft-he drawing, so that air may be delivered to bot'h chambers 18. Assuming further, that the grain contains a considerable amount of moisture, it is then desirable to retain such grain within the drier B, and notmerely let fall byigravity therethrough;

' the desired amount of grain'is permitted to drop from the garner to the chambers 7 and the blower 2a is put into operation. The air passing through duct 27 is heated prior to .enteringthe sage through heater 30 and it is to be noted that such heated air does not find egress from the chambers 7 through the same ducts it enters such chambers, but filters through the body of grain, separated only by the said ducts, which are pervious. By this action, nothing is removed from the grain but the excess moisture Afterthe desired amount of moisture is removed, the grain is dropped into the cooler chambers -17,directly underneath,'and the same blower that delivers air to the drier chambers, forces the cold air through the cooler; At the same time, the

drying ofthe second batch of grain is taking place, giving ample time to cool the grain, before it is necessary to removesame for the dried grain to follow.

If the grain to be acted upondoes not con .tain a considerable. amount ofmoisture, it

may be run through the drier and cooler chambers, 1n a continuous flow, by first filling the drier chambers, which, after having been'a'cted upon, is dropped into the coolers. The drier. chambers are then again "filled holding it in place untildried,whereupon it is permittedto descendtothe coolers, by

listributing chambers 8, by its pas-' and cooler chambers, in a continuous flow.

To adapt the apparatus for use in drying a small quantity of grain has been hereinbefore described. However, it is to be noted that a very small quantity of grain may be acted upon by lowering one of the dampers 33 in chamber 8, so as to be directly above the opening of way 31' to such chamber, and that by shifting valve 36 so that air will be delivered" to only the said chamber 8, the identity'of a small quantity of grain may be preserved. Likewise, the cooler B may be arranged so that only one of its chambers 17,that below the active chamber 7 of drier B, has air delivered therethrough.

Changes in details may be made without" departing from thespirit or scope of the invention; but,

I claim I I '1. A grain drier and cooling apparatus comprising in combination, a drier chamber, a cooler chamber to which said drier chamber delivers the material acted upon, unitary means for forcing the air through both said drier and cooler chambers separately, and means for heating the air delivered to said drier chamber prior to its entering the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. r

2.-A grain drier and cooling apparatus comprising in combination, a drier chamber, a cooler chamber to which said drier chamber delivers the material acted upon, unitary means for forcing the airthrough botn said drier and cooler chambersseparately, and means for heating the air delivered to said drier chamber prior to its entering the same, and after leaving said last-mentioned means, substantially as and for the purpose a cooler chamber to which said drier chamber delivers the material acted upon,- a blower, a way from'the egress of said blower to conduct air to be forced through said cooler chamber, a second way from the egress of said blower to conduct air to be forced through said drier chamber, and means for heating the air passing through said second way, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4'. A grain drier and cooling apparatus comprising 'in combination, a drier chamber, a cooler chamber to'whichsaid drier chamber delivers the material acted upon, a blower, a way from the egress of said blower tojconduct air to be forced through said coolerfchamberga valve inlsaid way, a sec; ond way from-the "egress of said blower to conduct air to be forcedthrough said drier duct to conduct air to be forced through said bers with an air distributing way therebee tween, two cooler chambers to which said 'ond branch .wayv from said duct to conduct drier chamber, and means for heating the air passing through said second branch way, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. y

.6. A grain drier and cooling apparatus comprising in combination, a drier chamber,

a cooler chamber to which said drier chamber delivers the material acted upon, a blower, a main'duct for. the egress of said blower, a branch way from saididuct to conduct air to be forced through said cooler chamber, a valve in said branch way, a secairto be forced through said drier chamber, a valve in said second branch way, and means for heating the. air passing through said second'branch way, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A grain drier and cooling apparatus comprising in combination, two drier chamdrier chambers deliver the material acted upon, said cooler chambers having anfair distributing way therebetween, blower means for forcing air through said distributing ways of said drier and cooler chambers, and through the latter, means for rendering the said air distributing way of said drier chamber inactive for conducting air from said blower meansto either of the said chambers, and means for rendering the, said air distributing way of said cooler chambers inactive for conducting air from said blower means/to either of the said chambers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A grain drier and cooling apparatus comprising in combination, a plurality of drier chambers with an air distributing way for each chamber, a plurality of cooler chambers to whichsaid drier chambers deliver the material acted upon, said cooler chambers each having an air distributing way, blower means for forcing air through said distributing ways of said drierand cooler chambers and through the latter, means for renderin the said air distributing way of any of .sai

drier chambers inactive for conducting air from said'blower means to its respective chamber, and means for rendering the said air distributing way of any oof said cooler.

chambers inactive for conducting air from either ofv the said chambers.

said blower means to its respective chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. 9. A grain drier and cooling apparatus way therebeupon, said jcooler chambers having an air dis- 7 tributing way therebetween, blower means for forcing air through said distributing ways. of said drier and through the latter, means for rendering the said air distributing way of said drierchamber inactive for conducting air from said blower means to either of the said chambers, means for rendering the said air distributing way of said cooler chambers inactive for,

conducting air from said. blower means to either of the said chambers, and adjustable;

means in'the said distributing way of said drier chambers for confining. the: air',t0:

path of movement through a predetermined portion of said'chambers to alter capacity thereof, substantially as and "for the purpose set forth. o v I 10. grain drier and cooling lapparatus comprising in combination, two drier-cham-j cooler chambers, andthe drying bers with an air distributing way therebetween, two cooler chambers to which said drier chambers deliver the material acted upon, said cooler chambers having an air. 7 distributing way therebetween, blower means. for forcing air through said distributing ways of said drier and cooler chambers, and

means for rendering the sa1d air dlstrlbutlng way of said drler chamthrough the latter,

ber inactive for conducting air from said means for rendering the said air distributing blower means to eitherof the said chambers,

way of said cooler chambers inactive for conducting am from sa1d blower means to the drying and for the purpose set forth. 7

11. In a grain drier and. cooling apparatus, the combination of means providing two between separated by tributing chambers simultaneously, and an oscillatable valve in said way having its and adjustable means in the said distributing way of said drier chambers for confining the air to a path of movement through a predetermined portion of any one of said chambers to altercapacity thereof, substantially as aXis of oscillation inthe plane of said partition, disposed in close proximity thereto and adaptedto engage with either of the two opposite walls 'of said way laterallythereof,v substantially'asand for the purpose i set forth.

12. 111 a grain drierland jcooling apparatus, the combination fof means providing.

two container chambers spaced apart from for conducting air to both of the saidair distributing chambers simultaneously, an oscillatable'valve 1n said way having its axis of oscillation in the planeof said partition,

disposed. in close proximity thereto and adapted to engage with either of the two opposite walls of said way laterally thereof, and .means for retaining said valve in a rigid position within said way, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In .a-gram drler QIlClCOOllIlg apparatus, the combination of means providing two container chambers spaced apart from each other and air distributing chambers therebetween separated conducting air'to, both of the said air distributing chambers simultaneously, an. oscillatable valve in said way having its axis of oscillation in the plane of said partition. disposed in close proximity thereto and adapted to engage with either of thetwo opposite walls of said way laterally thereof, and means exterially of said way for retaining said valve in a rigid adjusted position therein, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In a grain drier and cooling apparatus, the combination of means providing two container chambers spaced apart from each other and air distributing chambers therebetween separated by'a partition,"a way for conducting air to both of the said air distributing chambers simultaneously, a shaft in said way extending exterially thereof and disposed with partition, a'valve in said way carried by said shaft in close proximity in said partition and adapted to engage with either of the two opposite walls of said way laterally thereof, an arm extending laterally of said shaft exterially of said way and'having a transverse aperture, a plate rigidly mounted, having a plurality of apertures, disposed in a line concentric to the axis of oscillation of said shaft and with any one of which the said aperture in said arm may be alined, and a pin adapted to pass through the said aperture in the said arm and through any one of the said apertures in said plate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a grain drying and cooling apparatus, the combination of a drier including two container chambers spaced apart from each other and air distributing means therebetween separated by a partition, a way for conducting air to both of said air distributing chambers simultaneously, an oscillatable valve in the said way having its axis of oscillation in the plane of said partition, dis posed in close proximity thereto and adapt ed to engage with either of the two opposite walls of said way laterally thereof, a

by a partition, a way for I tween separated by a Partition,

its axis in the plane of said taneously, and an oscillatable valve in said last-mentionedway having its axis of oscillation in the plane of the said partition of said last-mentioned air distributing chambers, disposed in close proximity to such partition, and adaptedto engage either of the two opposite 'walls of saidlast-mentioned .way laterally thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a grain drying and cooling apparatus, the combination of a drier including two container chambers spaced apart from each other: and air distributing means therebea way for conducting air to both of said air distributing chambers simultaneously, an oscillatable valve in the said way having its axis of'oscillation in the plane of said partition,

disposed in close proximity thereto and cooler simultaneously, an oscillatable valve in said last-mentioned way having its axis of oscillation in the plane of the said partition of said last-mentioned air distributing chambers, disposed in close proximity to such partition, and adapted to engage either .of the two opposite walls of said last-mentioned way laterally thereof, and means for retaining said last-mentioned valve in a way, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a grain drying and cooling apparatus, the combination of a drier including rigid position within said last-mentioned two container chambers spaced apart from each other and air distributing means therebetween separated by a partition, a way for conducting air to both of said air distributing chambers simultaneously, an oscillatable valve in the said wayhaving its axis of oscillation in the plane of said partition, disposed in close proximity thereto and adapted to engage with either of the two opposite walls of said way laterally thereof, means exter ally of said way for retaining said valve in a rigid position therein, a

cooler including two container chambers 13o spaced apart fromeach other,' to which the said container chambers of said drier deliver material acted upon, and aindistributing chambers between said coolerchambers separated by a partition, away for conducting air to-both of thesaid air distributing chambers of said cooler simultaneously, an oscillatable valve in-said last-mentioned way having itsa'Xis of oscillation'inmthe plane of the saidpartition ofsaid last-ment'ioned air distributing chambers, disposed Copies ot this'patent may be obtained for in close proximityto such partition; and

adapted to engage either of the two oppo-- site Walls of saidlast-mentioned Way laterally-thereof, and means exterially of said second mentione d .way for retaining said second-mentioned'valve in a rigid position therein, substantially as and for'the purpose set forth. Y

18. In a grain drier and cooling appara-i tus, the combination of a containerchamber,

an air distributing chamber-about one wall thereof said container chamber having a plurality of ducts open to said airfldist ribut position of the Wall of said chamber op a site from its air inlet substantially as "and" I the latter,-

her, an air distributing chamber about one 19. Inig'rain-drier andfcoolin'g appara tus, the combinationofa container ch am,-

wall= thereof, said container chamber having I a plurality of'du'ct's open to said air dis- I tributing" chamber through the said all,:*

ing chambers adjacent-the bottom thereof,

means for deliveringair to said distribute 40 and means for altering the capacity of said air distributingchamber available for; de-

livery of air to saidducts to variousdegreeias, substantially forth.

as 'andjfor the purpose set 20; In a grain drier and cooling apparatus, the combination of 'a container cha n? distributing chamber through the' said wall;

means for delivering air to said distributing -1 r the bottom thereof and means for alteringthe'magnitude of said'air chamber i adj acent distributing; chamber in communication ber, an air distributing chamber about one 7. wall thereof, said container chamber having a plurality of tiers'of ducts open to saidair' with said air delivery means, by altering the forth'e purposeset forth. v V

FULTON R. Mo RIsf Witnesses: V CARL B. RIX, Lorrrn W. GLOUGPLL five cents each; by addressingithe Gom missioner of Patentsf Washington, .D. C. I 

